The Halloween Safety Enhancement Zone, or SEZ, has officially begun, doubling fines for this past weekend and the next.
The enforcement began on Friday, Oct. 23, through this morning. It will begin again on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 a.m. through 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.
The fines for violations range between $700 and $1000. Violations apply to noise and unruly gatherings, as well as open containers and weapons.
The SEZ emerged in 2024 as a part of San Luis Obispo’s amendments to its safety enhancement zone ordinances for St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.
“Our police department has increased staff for the weekend in anticipation for more calls for service, and generally lots of people out and about,” San Luis Obispo City Manager Whitney McDonald said in a city council meeting this past Tuesday.
Patrols will be in San Luis Obispo’s neighborhoods and downtown in order to accommodate for the variety of festivities that usually take place. The San Luis Obispo Police Department is dedicated to keeping students and residents safe, with increased staff being part of that.
“Noise violations related to amplified music or live bands will be our primary focus, and could constitute a more costly unruly gathering citation for both tenants and property owners,” McDonald said.
On Cal Poly’s campus, students living on university property are subject to their own regulations. According to the university’s visitor and guest policies, this includes no overnight guests and increased fines for damages.
The City of San Luis Obispo asked residents to “celebrate responsibly” according to a city press release.